Waste fluorescent lamp dismantling apparatus

Abstract

A waste fluorescent lamp dismantling method and apparatus is set up to clamp two ends of a waste fluorescent lamp adjacent to its aluminum caps, and to maintain an airtight seal between the clamp sections and the aluminum caps, so that when the aluminum caps at two ends are separated from the waste fluorescent lamp, the gas and vapor in the lamp tube will be prevented from escaping. This apparatus and method can rapidly process waste fluorescent lamps while also conforming to environmental protection requirements.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A waste fluorescent lamp dismantling apparatus for dismantling waste fluorescent lamps each having a lamp tube and two aluminum caps located at two ends thereof, the apparatus comprising at least: 
       an aluminum cap separation mechanism including a pair of clamp units and a pair of clamp sections for clamping the waste fluorescent lamp at selected locations adjacent the aluminum caps, the portion between the clamp locations and the aluminum caps being maintained at an airtight condition, and the clamp units being used to clamp the aluminum caps and to turn relatively against the lamp tube for separating the aluminum caps from the lamp tube;  
       a powder removing mechanism including a nozzle engageable with one end of the lamp tube which has the aluminum cap removed for injecting air to remove powders in the lamp tube; and  
       a collection tank for collecting the lamp tube after the powders being removed.  
     
     
       2. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyor mechanism for transporting the waste fluorescent lamps to various mechanisms. 
     
     
       3. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the conveyor mechanism is a belt conveyor having hooks disposed thereon. 
     
     
       4. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the hooks have a diameter greater than the diameter of the lamp tube. 
     
     
       5. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the conveyor mechanism is a belt conveyor driven by chains. 
     
     
       6. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum cap separation mechanism includes a pair of airtight tanks, each of the airtight tanks having two matching casings for encasing the clamp unit. 
     
     
       7. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the two casings have respectively a concave opening for forming the clamp sections to clamp the waste fluorescent lamp when the two casings are engaged tightly with each other. 
     
     
       8. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the two casings and the clamp sections have an airtight layer at the peripheral rims thereof to allow sections between the clamp sections and the aluminum caps maintaining an airtight condition. 
     
     
       9. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each of the airtight tanks further includes a vacuum valve for collecting gas in the waste fluorescent lamp when the aluminum caps are separating. 
     
     
       10. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the gas is collected by adsorption through active charcoal. 
     
     
       11. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp unit clamping the aluminum caps and turning relatively against the lamp tube is accompanied by using knife blade edges located at a front end of the clamp unit to sever the aluminum cap along the juncture of the aluminum cap and the lamp tube for separating the aluminum caps from the lamp tube. 
     
     
       12. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the two aluminum caps are turned at opposite directions against the lamp tube. 
     
     
       13. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the aluminum cap separation mechanism further includes a collection tank for collecting the severed aluminum caps. 
     
     
       14. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the knife blade edges are made of metal. 
     
     
       15. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the knife blade edges are made of diamond. 
     
     
       16. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the clamp unit has a teeth structure to couple with a gear rack, the gear rack being movable to drive and turn the clamp unit. 
     
     
       17. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the powder removing mechanism further includes a collection sleeve to engage with another end of the lamp tube for collecting powders removed by the nozzle. 
     
     
       18. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the powder removing mechanism further includes a dust collection device connecting to the collection sleeve for storing the powders collected by the collection sleeve. 
     
     
       19. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the dust collection device is to separate and collect fluorescent powders from the powders. 
     
     
       20. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the powder removing mechanism further includes a absorption tower for collecting and processing the powders which do not include the fluorescent powders. 
     
     
       21. The waste fluorescent lamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is tapered and has a narrower front end insertable into the lamp tube. 
     
     
       22. The waste fluorescent tamp tube dismantling apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a lamp tube crush unit for crushing the lamp tube after the powders having been removed, the crushed lamp tube being transported to the collection tank for collection.